This week, the Legislative Analyst’s Office issued its annual report on climate policies in California, saying “policies are likely a substantial driver of emission reductions, but the overall magnitude of the effect is unclear.”

According to the report, the state lacks “rigorous retrospective evaluations of the major effects of some of the state’s climate policies related to electricity generation.”

More thorough findings could help the Legislature better make future policy and budget decisions.

The LAO estimates that the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) has reduced annual emissions by up to the “low tens of millions of tons in 2018 and costs about $60 to $70 per ton reduced in energy procurement costs.”

The cost of rooftop solar programs is generally less effective.

Read the 30-page report here: https://lao.ca.gov/reports/2020/4131/climate-policies-electricity-010320.pdf